Hello... The story is that I saw a picture of a magnificent waterfall and a high-angle view of a rice field in Vietnam on someone's Facebook, which stimulated my wanderlust again. This led to the creation of this trip. Then I researched which city to fly into, how far it was to each place, and how many days I would actually be able to spend sightseeing. I came up with 4 days and 3 nights, but the first day I would fly in the evening to Hanoi and the return flight would also be in the evening. I chose to go during the 3-day long weekend, July 27th-30th, so I wouldn't have to take any time off work. I chose a suitable evening flight with Air Asia. I don't know if it was cheap or not, but I was happy with the price of the ticket. Right?

The group of seven people will likely need to rent a car. They can contact a tour company to get a quote for a price of 190 USD per person, which includes a 12-seat car rental for the entire trip, entrance fees, accommodation, a guide, breakfast, drinking water, and services from Adventure Indochina Travel. Renting a car will be convenient because the group has limited time. Additionally, Vietnam has a speed limit of 80 km/hr, so using a bus service would likely not allow them to see all the sights they want to. So, it's time to go on a trip!

Arriving at dusk, we opted to stay in the Hanoi Old Quarter, a vibrant district teeming with young people sipping drinks and snacking on sunflower seeds. The area boasts a plethora of culinary delights, and we couldn't resist indulging in the iconic Vietnamese bánh mì. Our bellies full and spirits high, we drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

In the morning, while waiting for the car to pick me up, I woke up early and took a walk around the hotel.

Our travel plan according to the program

Hanoi - Cao Bang Province - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave - Bac Son Village The names of the places may be a bit difficult to read in Thai, as they are quite challenging to pronounce.

The distance from Hanoi to Cao Bang province is 360 kilometers, which takes approximately 8 hours to travel, including rest stops, lunch breaks, and photo stops. Hanoi now has a highway, which saves a lot of time. Along the way, you will see green rice fields.

As we stopped by, we couldn't miss the chance to enjoy a cup of coffee brewed in this unique way. Patience is key, as the coffee slowly drips into the cup below. It's a relaxing experience.

We arrived at 4 pm and were immediately excited by the sound of the waterfall. Ban Gioc Waterfall is formed by the Quay Son River cascading over a cliff in Cao Bang Province, bordering China. The border is marked by the river, and we could see the other side and say "ni hao".

This angle from the road, the guide said that the water level is low at this time. Then how spectacular it would be if the water level was high.

After that, I quickly checked in to the hotel, which is located across the street near the waterfall. The name of the hotel is Sai Gon Ban Gioc resort. It's a great hotel. When I woke up in the morning, I could hear the sound of the waterfall.

We decided to visit the waterfall before sunset. The entrance fee was 40,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is approximately 60 Thai Baht (10,000 Vietnamese Dong is roughly equivalent to 15 Thai Baht. Vietnamese people often shorten "ten thousand" to "ten," omitting the three zeros after the number. Therefore, "ten" refers to ten thousand.)

Upon entering, a verdant rice field unfolds before you, with a cascading waterfall serving as a picturesque backdrop. The scene is idyllic.

Next, let's enjoy the atmosphere at Ban Gioc Waterfall. ^_^

Boat services are available to take you close to the waterfall. The cost is 300,000 VND (approximately $450 USD) for a private boat.

The other side is China.

The closer you get, the wetter you'll get. ;)

The boat ride takes about 20 minutes, and then we can continue walking.

A bridge to the other side

This side of the waterfall is accessible. You can stand still without a tripod. ^_^

Vietnamese tourists dressed up for photos.

Villagers exchange and transport goods.

It is time to return before nightfall.

The scenery will be particularly verdant if you visit during late September or October. During this time, the green hues will gradually transition into vibrant yellows. Consider revisiting during a different season to experience the diverse colors.

This photo was taken from the Sai Gon Ban Gioc resort, directly across from the waterfall.

The next day, we visited a temple on a nearby mountain. We could have walked up to the temple, but we decided to save our energy and took a motorbike ride instead. The ride cost 50,000 VND (about $2.50) per person for a round trip. The view from the top was amazing! I apologize, but I can't remember the name of the temple.

And this is the view of the waterfall from this angle.

This side, xin chào. That side, ni hao.

Let's move on to another place. Less than half an hour from now, we will visit the Nguom Ngao cave (pronounced "Ngum Ngao" in Thai). I will take you to see the magnificence of the cave here. I didn't think it would be this wide and long. It's beautiful and unusual. The walking distance in the cave should be around 2-3 kilometers.

A naturally formed cave estimated to be 300 million years old. Nguom Ngao translates to "Tiger Cave," a name derived from the legend that the sound of water flowing within the cave resembles a tiger's roar. Discovered in 1921 by local villagers, it was further explored by the British Caving Association in 1995. Nguom Ngao Cave stretches 2,144 meters and boasts three entrances. The cave's interior is adorned with breathtaking seven-colored stalactites that adorn the ceiling, creating a magnificent and expansive spectacle. Some stalactite formations resemble human figures, trees, animals, and lotus flowers.

This cave is incredibly large.

After exploring the cave to our heart's content, we continued on to Bac Son village. Our goal was to arrive before sunset, which was approximately 200 kilometers away. Would we make it in time? As fate would have it, the unexpected occurred. Our car tire went flat. Fortunately, we were not traveling at a high speed when the nail punctured it. We worked together to change the spare tire, but it took over an hour. Thankfully, there were no serious consequences, and we were all safe.

A young girl watches us change a car tire. :)

... As night fell upon Bac Son village before sunset, we decided to wait for the morning light.

Tonight, we will be staying at a homestay in Bac Son Village, Lang Son Province. We will be staying with the homeowner and close to the starting point for the hike to the village viewpoint.

Tonight's dinner atmosphere is ^_^

This is the homestay where we stayed and the chartered car we used on this trip.

This morning, we set out to hike to a viewpoint overlooking the village. We woke up early and walked about 1 kilometer from our house. We had time to take photos, greet the villagers, and observe their way of life.

Vintage-style house

Sun-drying rice paddy in front of the house

Cycling to the rice fields.

The exact distance of the uphill climb is unknown, but it takes approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top, depending on your physical condition. The climb is continuous and challenging.

Enjoy the scenic views and take breaks as needed.

It is recommended to bring your own drinking water.

The destination has been reached! All fatigue vanishes instantly. This spot atop the hill is where the signal tower is located. It wasn't built as a scenic viewpoint, but people have managed to find ways and angles to climb up here. From this vantage point, you can see this breathtaking view. The name of the peak we climbed is Na Lay Peak. It's incredibly beautiful.

It's time to walk down. The descent is fast, taking only 20 minutes. ^_^ I also walked through the rice fields to relax my muscles.

The young child helps with planting rice in the field, assisting their family. How adorable!

The primary modes of transportation for navigating the area are motorcycles and bicycles.

It's time to return to Hanoi to catch the 8 pm flight back home. From Bac Son village to the airport, it takes about 2 hours and covers a distance of 160 kilometers. However, if you have time to spare, you can visit Hanoi city center for shopping. Plan your travel time wisely.

A 4-day, 3-night trip is sufficient to explore Hanoi. With frequent affordable flights, Hanoi is an accessible destination. The city offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and local life, making it an unforgettable experience.

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